Hibiscus plant named &#39;dup-swte&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Hibiscus  plant named ‘DUP-SWTE’, characterized by glossy, dark green leaves, a dwarf, base-branching habit, with semi-upright habit appropriate for container production and culture, freely flowering habit, and a small flower, usually less than 5.5 inches in diameter, having a shiny, dark red eye which extends out about a third of the way to the flower edge, the eye margined in pumpkin orange which fades into a light orange body and edge.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘DUP-SWTE’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ifHibiscus, botanically known as Hibiscus rosa-sinensis and hereinafterreferred to by the cultivar name ‘DUP-SWTE’.

Hibiscus have been the subject of human admiration for centuries. Whilethe ancestry of present rosa-sinensis hybrids is not precisely known,today's hybrids are thought to be the products of interspecific crossesinvolving Hawaiian, Polynesian and Asian species, among others, some ofwhich may no longer be found in the wild, if at all. It is thought thatthe first hibiscus identified as a ‘rosa-sinensis’ was a double red formof uncertain origin found in cultivation in China, India and Polynesia,to be later introduced to Hawaii from Polynesia. It is known to havebeen grown in Europe during the Victorian era. Eventually, it wasintroduced to the continental United States where it was cultivatedoutdoors in the Deep South as well as in regions having subtropical orMediterranean climates (Florida and Southern California, respectively).Indoor cultivation took place in the temperate regions of the U.S. It isspeculated that the original ‘rosa-sinensis’ is actually a specieshybrid, possibly naturally arising, involving two or more species.Regardless, present day hybrids are descended from the original doubleform, and are thought to include additional species such as Hibiscusliliiflorus, H arnottianus, H. schizopetalus, and other species, knownand unknown, some of which are no longer found in the wild, if at all.Today, after decades of extensive hybridization, the moniker‘rosa-sinensis’ almost certainly denotes complex interspecific hybrids.Such hybrids are usually far removed from their species ancestors inform and color. Flowers of spectacular size, color intensity and, in thelast several decades, ringed and spotted patterns have been produced byU.S. hybridizers in Louisiana, Florida, Texas and elsewhere. Otherhotbeds of activity include Australia, and more recently, Tahiti.Today's flowers are removed from their species ancestors to such anextent that it is almost impossible to unravel the species componentcontributions which comprise a modern hybrid hibiscus.

However, despite the fact that extensive hybridization was giving riseto larger blossoms and more intense colors, few early hybrids attractedthe attention of large scale propagators. While the flowers were some ofthe most impressive in the entire plant world, hybridizer selection forbloom characteristics alone resulted in weak, short-lived plants. Manyvarieties were difficult to root from cuttings, and even if they didroot, many varieties, when grown on their own roots, were extremelysusceptible to fungal and bacterial root rots. Some grew acceptably onlyas grafted plants. However, grafted plants suffer from a seriousdisadvantage in that the quality of the graft generally determines thequality of the plant, making the production of uniformly vigorous plantsa difficult task. Furthermore, after several years, it is common forgrafted plants to develop stresses at the graft union due to the unequalgrowth rates of the rootstock and the scion. Such stresses caneventually lead to loss of vigor and death of the plant. Moreover,grafting does not completely cure the problem of root rot; surprisingly,the rootstock, when grafted to a root-rot susceptible scion wasgenerally still more likely to suffer rot than the a plant of therootstock variety. For example, a plant of ‘Seminole Pink’, a gardenvariety commonly used as a rootstock, is highly resistant to root rot.However, when ‘Seminole Pink’ is used as a rootstock for ‘Romeo’, amodern hybrid which is prone to root rot, the grafted plant, while lesssusceptible than ‘Romeo’, is more susceptible than a plant of ‘SeminolePink’. Another disadvantage of grafted plants is the introduction ofviruses into the scion from the rootstock. Rootstock varieties arealmost invariably old garden varieties which, over the years, havebecome infected with multiple viruses. While the performance of suchvigorous garden varieties may be largely unaffected by the virusinfection, the hybrid scion of grafted plants were usually significantlyless vigorous than the garden variety rootstock, and virus infectionfrom the rootstock resulted in a weak plant. The problem only increasedwith successive generations of grafting, resulting in a generalweakening of a given variety over time.

As a result, the flower production of many modern hybrids was generallysparse with a high number of deformed blooms. Furthermore, buds oftentook relatively long times to reach blooming stage, and it was notuncommon to wait with anticipation while a bud swelled day by day, onlyto be disappointed when the mature bud toppled from its pedicel on theday it was to open. Moreover because of hybridizer emphasis on theflower, the plant was often relatively slow growing and sparsely clothedin leaves.

Such characteristics left hibiscus with the reputation that, despite themesmerizing beauty of the flowers, they were for collectors who had timeto attend to the seemingly exacting requirements of the plants. As aresult, while new varieties were produced by hobbyists yearly,commercial scale propagation of modern hybrids was generally rare.Common garden varieties (‘Seminole Pink’, ‘Brilliant’, ‘President’,‘Painted Lady’, ‘Butterfly’, ‘Lagos’ and others), which are easy toroot, fast growing, and tolerant of a wide range of growing conditionswere the only hibiscus widely available. The “exotics” have generallybeen commercially impractical, and thus, of little interest tocommercial growers.

Many new varieties of hibiscus which represent a vast improvement inrosa-sinensis hybrids, have been produced by an intense hybridizingprogram conducted by the Inventor at his commercial nursery inPlaquemine, La. The objective of the program has been to producevarieties of hibiscus which root easily under commercial rootingconditions, grow well on their own roots, maturing rapidly intowell-leaved, commercially salable plants under commercial greenhouseconditions. Further objectives are to produce Hibiscus cultivars asaforementioned, having large-flowers with unique and desirable flowercharacteristics, such as size, color intensity and pattern. ‘DUP-SWTE’was produced by crossing the cultivar ‘Light My Fire’ (pollen parent,patented) with the cultivar ‘Evangeline’ (seed parent, patented). Theinstant plant was found among the progeny of the stated cross. Theinstant plant differs from its parents and other hybrid hibiscusprimarily in flower color. The instant plant generally differs fromother hybrid hibiscus cultivars in that it roots at a higher percentageof cuttings under commercial rooting conditions, and it grows well onits own roots.

Asexual reproduction of the new Hibiscus by hard wood, semi hardwood,and terminal cuttings used in a controlled environment in Plaquemine,La., has shown that the unique features of this new Hibiscus are stableand reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘DUP-SWTE’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental variables. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variationsin environment such as temperature, light intensity, nutrition and waterstatus without, however, any variation in genotype. For example, duringcooler weather, flowers may demonstrate an increased intensity in pinktones, particularly in the lighter colored edge zone. Furthermore, aswith many varieties of Hibiscus, cooler weather can result in a decreasein flower diameter, and a corresponding reduction in size of sepals andpistil. Moreover, as indicated below, plant characteristics vary greatlywith culture, with internode spacings often increasing in warmer weatherand with higher fixed nitrogen soil content. Plants grown at highertemperatures also exhibit a faster rate of growth. In general the plantused in the following description was grown at temperatures which neverdipped below 55° F. Because the Inventor's one gallon plants are grownfor an average time of about 5.5 to 6 months prior to sale, and the 10inch pot plants are grown for a average time of about 7 to 8 monthsprior to sale, it is difficult to provide a precise temperature profilerequired to give the average plant measurements described in the belowdescription. The growing period can encompass several seasons, withseasonal fluctuations in high/low temperatures as well as photo period.It is expected that the daily high temperature ranged from about 70° F.to about 95° F., and the daily low temperature, which never dipped below55° F., ranged from about 65° F. to about 80° F.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘DUP-SWTE’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘DUP-SWTE’ as a new and distinct cultivar.

1. Glossy, dark green leaves.

2. Dwarf, base-branching, semi-upright habit appropriate for containerproduction and culture.

3. Freely flowering habit.

4. a small flower, usually less than 5.5 inches in diameter, having ashiny, dark red eye which extends out about a third of the way to theflower edge, the eye margined in pumpkin orange which fades into a lightorange body and edge.

5. The plant is at least as free-flowering as each parent, and has beenfound to root more easily under greenhouse conditions than eitherparent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH(S)

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearanceof the new Hibiscus, showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type.

Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color valuescited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describethe colors of the new Hibiscus.

The photograph on the first sheet comprises a single plant of ‘DUP-SWTE’in a standard 1 gallon nursery pot.

The photograph on the second sheet comprises a profile of the flowerdemonstrating the proportions of the pistil compared to the bloomdiameter. The calyx is clearly visible.

The photograph on the third sheet is a representative mature leaf of‘DUP-SWTE’.

The photograph on the fourth sheet is of a flower displaying a petaloid.

The photograph on the fifth sheet is a view of the reverse of the bloom.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations,measurements, and values describe plants grown in Plaquemine, La., withone plant per 1 gallon container. Plants used for the description wereplants in standard 1 gallon pots and were about 23 weeks old.

-   Botanical classification: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female or seed parent.—Light My Fire (patented).        -   Male or pollen parent.—Evangeline (patented).-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—cuttings ‘DUP-SWTE’ has been propagated by taking            hardwood, semi hardwood, and tip cuttings, with semi            hardwood preferred. It should be noted that many methods of            asexual propagation, such as tissue culture and other            cloning processes, can be expected to show some degree of            success in the propagation of the present cultivar, although            . However, of the methods tried by the inventor, the use of            semi hardwood cutting has given the greatest yield of            commercially salable plants. Asexual propagation has            resulted in plants which have the flower and plant            characteristics of the original ‘DUP-SWTE’ plant, and thus            the variety is stable. Cuttings from ‘DUP-SWTE’ generally            root well under commercial greenhouse conditions. While            greenhouse conditions such as relative humidity and other            factors such as cutting age prior to planting affect the            take, it is not unusual to get a take of almost 100%. Please            note that as successive generations of cuttings are raised,            the raiser may experience a drop in take due to the            incorporation of virus, particularly if at some point            grafted plants are prepared, and cuttings are taken from            such a plant.        -   Time to initiate roots.—An average time of initiation at            approximately 22° C. is approximately six weeks, with            slightly longer times during winter at comparable            temperatures, and slightly shorter during summer at            comparable temperatures.        -   Time to develop roots.—An average time, at approximately 22°            C., of development of a root system after initiation, is            approximately six weeks, with slightly longer times during            winter at comparable temperatures, and slightly shorter            during summer at comparable temperatures. It should be noted            that root initiation and development can be affected by            greenhouse conditions, biological stressors such as disease            organisms, as well as environmental stressors such as low or            variant relative humidity, over- and under- watering,            temperature variations or high or low constant temperatures.            Thus, rooting times can be shorter or longer than the times            given above depending on the values of many different            characteristics during the rooting process known in the art.        -   Root description.—Fibrous and well-branched.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant form and growth habits.—Perennial evergreen having            widely base-branching growth. Often, branches are produced            from buried nodes. Generally compact, but internodal space            can be dependent upon greenhouse temperature time profile,            fertilizer level, and other factors.        -   Branching habit.—well-branched, having approximately 5            laterals when a single stem plant is pinched back to a 5            inch height.        -   Plant height, soil level to top of flowers.—a salable plant            in a 1 gallon pot can be approximately 12 inches high and 13            inches wide. Please note that cultural variables such as            greenhouse temperature time profile, fertilizer time            profile, and other factors can cause significant variation            from the above values.        -   Lateral branch description.—The average branch            characteristics of a salable 10 inch plant: Average Length:            approximately 8″. Average Diameter: approximately 0.5 cm            measured at the transition from green to woody stem texture.            Texture: Immature, smooth; mature, woody and rough. Color:            Immature: Green, more green than 147A. Mature: Brownish            gray, close to 200C with 197A overtones.-   Mature Foliage description:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate, single; numerous; symmetrical.        -   Length.—approximately 6.8 cm.        -   Width.—approximately 5.8 cm.        -   Shape.—cordate.        -   Apex.—acute.        -   Margin.—crenate.        -   Texture.—upper surface: glabrous, rugose; lower surface:            glabrous, rugose.        -   Color.—Young foliage, upper surface: More green than 147A;            very glossy. Mature foliage, upper surface: Generally darker            than 147A; glossy. Typical color of undersurface of mature            leaf: 147A. Typical color of undersurface of immature leaf:            more yellow than 147A.        -   Shape of typical foliage base.—cordate.        -   Petiole.—Average Length: 2 cm. Average Diameter: 0.3 cm.            Texture: Fine pubescence on upper surface; lower surface,            glabrous. Typical petiole color: 147A. Color: Dark greenish            brown; close to 200A with undertones of 147A. It should be            noted that as with other plant growth characteristics            foliage color and size can vary somewhat with fertilization            regimen, greenhouse temperature, day length, and other            conditions of culture.-   Flower description:    -   -   Natural flowering season.—year round, with number and size            reduction in extended periods of cold weather, such as            daytime temperatures of less than 60° C. Extreme heat can            slow growth and flower production.        -   Flower arrangement.—Flowers arranged singly at terminal leaf            axils. Very free-flowering, with usually about two or three            developing flower buds per lateral branch, flowers face            mostly upright.        -   Flower appearance.—Large, rounded single flowers, relatively            small when compared to other ornamental hibiscus varieties.            Flowers are open for one day before senescence, which is            often accompanied by partial or full petal closure. Flowers            persistent.        -   Flower diameter.—‘DUP-SWTE’ flowers are generally in the            range of from about 4-5.5″ when fully open, with largest            flowers produced during warm weather (for example, day and            night time temperatures above 73° F.).        -   Flower depth.—Flower depth was measured to average            approximately 1.1 cm. Flower depth was measured after            removal of a petal and a sepal to expose the base of the            pistil. The measurement was taken on a fully opened flower            in the direction of the pistil, from the base of the ovaries            to the maximum height of the flower petal, which is the            point of recurvature of the petal. It should be noted that            hibiscus blossoms can flatten out during the day, or            increase or decrease in curvature or degree of petal reflex            during the day, and thus variance from the foregoing value            is possible.        -   Flower bud (just before showing color).—Rate of opening: 1-2            days. Rate of opening is generally faster in warmer weather.            Flower bud dimensions were measured on a bud which was            approximately one day from opening. The measurements were as            follows. Bud length was measured from the abscission zone            where bud and peduncle meet to the tip of the bud. The            average length of a bud which is one day from opening is            approximately 6.2 cm. Bud diameter was measured at the            widest part of the bud, an area approximately halfway up the            outside of the developing petals. The average diameter of a            bud which is one day from opening is approximately 3.5 cm.            It should be noted that bud dimensions can vary somewhat            with cultural conditions, and variations can even be            observed in buds which are at the same stage of development.            Shape: acuminate Typical color of unopened bud: More green            than 147A.        -   Petals.—Texture: Smooth, satiny, rugose. Arrangement: The            corolla consists of five petals arranged in a whorl, having            regular partial overlap, even when the flower is fully open.            Shape: roughly spatulate, with a rounded apex and a truncate            base. The margin of each petal undulate and entire, such            that the margin of the flower appears to be undulate, and            the overlap is such that the flower margin appears almost            circular, with indentations at the point where the flower            margin changes from one petal to the adjacent petal. A            distinctive trait is the upwardly-curled flower petal edges,            in the manner of the well-known Dupont variety ‘Curly Top’.            A representative length was measured to be 7.2 cm, and was            taken from the base of the petal to the farthest point on            the margin opposite the base. A representative width is 7.3            cm, and was measured perpendicularly to the pistil at the            widest point of the petal. Petal size can vary with cultural            conditions, such as temperature, and thus the flower size            and shape can vary as well. Often, flowers which are            produced at colder temperatures are smaller and appear more            fully overlapped, giving almost a wheel-shaped appearance.            When fully open, the edges of ‘DUP-SWTE’ flowers often            recurve stiffly. The color of a warm weather flower is            described below. It has been observed that colder            temperatures can result in the stronger expression of pink            tones, especially in the pink regions of each petal. It            should be noted that the colors of hibiscus are among the            most changeable of all flowers. A newly opening morning            bloom generally has the most intense coloration, but as the            flower flattens out and is exposed to the sun, many pigments            begin to fade immediately, resulting in a flower which can            look like a different variety altogether. The flower of            ‘DUP-SWTE’ is relatively fade resistant, but day-long            exposure to strong sun can fade the flower to a light orange            body with a dull red center. The morning colors are            described below. Color: Upper surface: Margin: 170D. Center:            169D at margin of eye-zone, fading to 170D body. Base: 46A.            Upper surface of the flower can fade to an edge and body of            lighter orange than 170D. Lower surface: Close to 11D.            Overlapping side: 10D. Underlapping side: 19D. Venation:            11D.        -   Sepals.—Unlike the petals, sepals are relatively invariant            in color. Their size can be affected by same cultural            conditions which affect flower size, They are generally            smooth and elongated oblong with acute apices (pointed            tips). They are fused at the long edges into a cupped calyx            bearing at its brim the five pointed tips. When the petals            of the flower spread open, the five pointed tips, which are            flush with the backs of the opening petals, are forced into            a radiating five point star-shaped configuration, which can            be observed on the profile and reverse pictures. A            representative width, which is measured perpendicularly to            the long axis of the sepal a at the position on the sepal at            which the oblong edges transition from fused to unfused, is            approximately 0.9 cm. A representative length, measured on            the sepal from the free point to the fused point is            approximately 2.5 cm. Color: Upper surface: Close to 146A.            Lower surface: Close to 147A. Both upper and lower sepal            surfaces glabrous.        -   Epicalyx.—5-7, most commonly 6 sepals; more green than 147A.            Both surfaces glabrous. Length of 1.6 cm on a fully opened            bloom.        -   Peduncle.—Length: 3.4 cm. Angle: approximately 35 degrees            from vertical. Strength: Strong, flexible. Texture: smooth.            Typical peduncle diameter: 0.2 to 0.3 cm. Typical peduncle            color: Slightly darker than 146A.        -   Reproductive organs.—Androecium: Stamen number:            approximately 75 Anther shape: crescent Anther color: 8D            Amount of pollen: moderate Pollen color: 10C Typical            filament length: approximately 3mm. Typical filament color:            158C. Typical anther length, including filament, upon            dehiscence: 4 to 5 mm. Gynoecium: Typical ovary color: 150C.            Pistil number: 1. Pistil length (from base of ovaries to top            of stigma): 6.7 cm. Style length (from base of ovaries to            stigma branching point): 7.1 cm. Stigma length: 0.9 cm.            Style diameter, at base: 0.8 cm. Style color: Base: 46A.            Midsection: 29B. Apex: 8D. Stigma number: 5. Stigma color:            28D. It should be noted that the dimensions of a hibiscus            blossom generally change not only during bud development,            but also during opening, as well as during the life of the            opened flower. For instance, upon opening, the petals            generally gain in length. Double varieties gain significant            mass during opening. Furthermore, after opening, the pistil            continues to grow in length while the anther filaments which            hold the pollen sacs increase in length, the pollen sacs            open and the stigmas separate, each at the tip of a branched            style structure. Toward the end of the flower life, possibly            due to a reduction in turgor pressure, the pistil may shrink            in length and the petals may slightly decrease in area.            Usually, the senescing petals of the flower fold toward the            pistil to some degree, in some cases, completely enfolding            it. ‘DUP-SWTE’ is known to occasionally bloom semi-double,            or even fully double flowers, with petaloid tissue often            produced at the anther-bearing end of the style, and            occasionally at the base of the style. Seeds are not            typically produced and are unlikely to be observed under            most growing conditions.        -   Disease resistance.—‘DUP-SWTE’ has not been observed to be            resistant to pathogens common in hibiscus. However, it has            been observed in the green house to have a higher resistance            to root rot than that of many existing hybrid varieties            grown on their own roots known to the Inventor. If desired,            and if a the risk of virus infection is of no concern, the            present variety can be grafted onto a rootstock and be grown            as a grafted plant.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct hibiscus plant named ‘DUP-SWTE’, asillustrated and described.